Program Overview

CLINICAL PATHOLOGY

Overview

The course of Clinical Pathology examines the study of the main characteristics of laboratory examinations and the meaning of some types of disease markers measurable in a clinical laboratory. The technological and organizational realities of a Central Laboratory are illustrated.

Aims and Content

Learning Outcomes

Provide the students with the fundamental elements about the main characteristics of laboratory examinations and the meaning of some of the main classes of diseases markers measurable in a clinical laboratory. Techniques of the various Laboratory Diagnostic Areas are provided.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

Provide the student with the basic elements on the main general characteristics of the clinical laboratory tests (accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, predictive value) and on the meaning of some classes of disease markers measurable in the clinical analysis laboratory (inflammation, cell damage and tumor markers and markers of function of some organs).

Teaching Methods

• Frontal lessons, with possible dialectical interactions with students.
• In case of emergency, when possible and according to the university indications, the activities will be carried out online.
• Generic illustration of the reality of a Laboratory Analysis with frequency in some laboratories, if the health situation permits.
• Students with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes.

Syllabus/Content

• General concepts of clinical pathology (precision, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, predictive value).
• Markers of inflammation and meaning of the main plasma proteins, leukocytosis.
• Cell damage markers.
• Renal and liver function markers.
• Markers of endocrine functions.
• Tumor markers: general concepts and main markers used in the clinic; liquid biopsy: analysis of circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells (state of the art).
• Evaluation test of the hemostatic process.
• Exercise activities in the analysis laboratory.

Recommended Reading/Bibliography

• Lecture notes on Aulaweb covering all the topics of the program will be provided to students.
• Support book (NOT mandatory): Widmann: Clinical interpretation of laboratory tests, McGrow Hill.

Teachers and Exam Board

• Nicola Traverso: Coordinator of the Integrated Course of Clinical Pathology and Immunohematology.
• Anna Lisa Furfaro.

Exam Board

• Gilberto Filaci (President).
• Martina Burlando.
• Marco Canepa.
• Paolo Durando.
• Anna Lisa Furfaro.
• Simone Negrini.
• Nicola Traverso.
• Patrizia Zentilin.
• Giuseppe Murdaca (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course).

Lessons

Lessons Start

• Second semester of the academic year of reference (indicatively beginning of March).

Class Schedule

• The timetable for this course is available.

Exams

Exam Description

• Students will be assessed with a written test with questions (about 45 in 60 minutes) with multiple answers (on average 4 alternatives).
• The student will always have to choose the best one among the suggested answers.
• There will be no penalty for incorrect answers or left blank.
• In case of emergency, when possible and according to the university indications, the activities will be carried out online.
• During the exam, the rules regarding the assessment method of DSA certified students or students with other educational needs indicated by the university will be respected.
• In this specific case, additional time will be given.

Assessment Methods

• The student will undergo a multiple choice test of about 45 questions including all the topics covered in class.
• Each correct answer will be worth one point.
• No penalty for wrong answers or left blank.
• The score will then be proportionally converted to thirtieths.
• A score <18/30 is considered insufficient.
• During the exam, the rules regarding the assessment method of DSA certified students or students with other educational needs indicated by the university will be respected.
• In this specific case, additional time will be given.

Exam Schedule

• Data appello: 07/05/2026, Orario: 14:00, Luogo: GENOVA, Degree type: Orale.
• Data appello: 09/06/2026, Orario: 14:00, Luogo: GENOVA, Degree type: Orale.
• Data appello: 07/07/2026, Orario: 14:00, Luogo: GENOVA, Degree type: Orale.
• Data appello: 08/09/2026, Orario: 14:00, Luogo: GENOVA, Degree type: Orale.
• Data appello: 12/01/2027, Orario: 14:00, Luogo: GENOVA, Degree type: Orale.
• Data appello: 09/02/2027, Orario: 14:00, Luogo: GENOVA, Degree type: Orale.